BMW will be forced to discontinue the largest engine from its range of vehicles. In order to meet the stringent emission regulations, specifically in Europe, the beloved BMW V12 engine will soon be dead. The final lot of V12s will be built this July. So we pour one out as we pay tribute to the BMW V12 and take a trip down memory lane.
Genesis Of The BMW V12
The BMW V12 was first seen in 1987. To build the engine, BMW went to its existing range of in-line 6 cylinder motors, joined two of them together at 60-degrees, and the M70 5.0-liter engine was born. It made 295 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.
Not only did each bank of cylinders have its own ECU, but BMW also gave it two fuel pumps, two fuel rails, two distributors, twice the throttle bodies, and crankshaft and temperature sensors. just to manage redundancies. It even featured an auxiliary alternator that recharged the second battery for the telephone, fax machine, or wine cooler for the rear passengers. The engine used chains instead of belts and an electronic throttle control instead of a mechanical throttle cable. The M70 V12 was built to be used in the E32 generation of the 750i and the 850i models.
There were new variations of the engine that were being developed, like the S70B56 or the S70/2. The latter however was a different animal. It featured 4 valves per cylinder with variable valve timing, individual throttle bodies, a dry-sump oil system, and only weighed 584 lbs. That caught the attention of a man named Gordon Murray, who decided to use them in his gold-plated engine bay of the McLaren F1.
While the M70 was replaced by a more efficient M73 in 1993, the S70 versions were still built till the 2000s. The M73 still used a SOHC layout because it was less noisy than a DOHC design for a luxury vehicle like the 7 Series. This motor was bored out to 5.4-liters, developing 322 hp and 361 lb-ft. While the BMW 7 Series and 8 Series benefited from the update, the engine was also used in the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph between 1998-2002.
The Second-Generation BMW V12
After BMW bought over Rolls-Royce, the next-generation V12 engines were built in two configurations. The N73 V12 was available as a 6-liter that was used with the 7 Series, with 439 hp. The Rolls-Royce models would use the larger and more powerful 453 hp 6.75-liter V12 engines. This engine was made famous with the Rolls-Royce Phantom. The new design finally used a DOHC layout, but also a double-VANOS (variable valve timing). It was the world’s first direct-injection V12 gasoline engine.
While BMW used its V12 engines for its motorsport endeavors occasionally, it wasn’t very successful, with seven wins out of 18 races. However, the one notable victory came when it mattered at the 1998 24 hours of LeMans.
BMW V12: The Last Of Its Kind
The N74 was introduced in 2008 as the first-ever BMW V12 engine to get a pair of turbochargers. It was an improvement on the N73’s initial design. The 6-liter was discontinued soon after and was replaced with a 6.6-liter that would be built alongside the 6.75-liter. The engines offer power outputs that range between 563 hp in the 7 Series, to the most powerful version in the 624 hp Rolls-Royce Wraith. This engine is also the first to use an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The BMW V12 Farewell Party
The V12 will continue to power the Rolls-Royce models for now. But BMW will discontinue the V12 from its own lineup. As a farewell celebration, BMW will offer a special M760i “Final V12” edition to 12 special customers exclusively in the US. BMW is asking $200,995 for this special 7 Series, the last piece in the story of its V12s.
For the money, the 7 Series will be a touch more special. It will feature a big V12 badge for its 601 hp 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 engine. The Luxury Rear Seating Package, BMW's Driving Assistance Professional Package, the LED-Lounge sunroof, a Bowers & Wilkins sound system and a lot more will be offered as standard. Around 80 color options will be provided. Along with the option of black or blue brake calipers, and black or gray colored 20-inch alloy wheels.
The final touch will be the “Final V12, 1 of 12” plaque in the cabin to denote its production number, making it extra special. Without a doubt, the BMW M750i xDrive Final V12 is truly a befitting send-off to an icon.